MGABC Growing

BROADLEAF EVERGREENS IN THE WINTER GARDEN

Late winter has to be one of the best times of the year to cast a critical eye over the bare bones of any garden. It’s a welcome opportunity to review the structure and balance of our landscape - or maybe the lack of it - and to consider what adjustments or amendments we might like to make. This is the time of year we can clearly see the relative...

FINDING COLOUR ON A GRAY WINTER'S DAY

When gray days seem endless, and your energy flags, put on your boots and take a stroll through the garden. On the Pacific coast, our gardens don't really go to sleep...there's always something coming up or glowing with a spot of colour - even if the sun isn't part of the picture! Here's a small photo essay of my walk at the end of January. ...

BUG MYSTERY SOLVED: Red Banded Leaf Hopper

Recently we were contacted through our website by a member of the public to identify a mysterious bug: "There's a bug that lives on the top leaves of my rhododendron in the summer here in White Rock.It is about 1/2" long , 1/8" thick, green colour with red stripes front to back, it can fly, it sprays clear sticky liquid from its rear end, and faces...

PUTTING FACES TO YOUR 2012 PROVINCIAL COUNCIL

We're showing our friendly faces, so you know who the members of MGABC's Provincial Council are this year. Every Chapter is represented, so do pass on your issues, suggestions and support to your Chapter Rep. We are working for you! As you move your cursor over each photo, you will see their name, where they are from and positions they hold.

From the President | by | Provincial | 101 | Feb 10, 2012 | Read more >>

FROSTED TREASURES IN MY GARDEN

A January stroll in the garden finds frosted beauty in the garden.

DO YOU KNOW A SUPPLIER FOR THIS?

An inquiry from our website: I wonder, in your dealings with the horticultural industry, if you have come across a BC supplier of 'Hot Spot Tape'? It's used to prevent rubbing of polythene sheeting on the metal hoops of polytunnels. It's usually sold in 9M reels of 30mm wide and 3mm thick white foam based tape that's sticky on one side and has a...

GREETINGS FROM THE DISABLED GARDEN

Three and a half years ago, I was in a near fatal car accident. I am a C-3 tetraplegic, unable to use my arms or legs, as a result of the crash. I spent one month in Vancouver General Hospital and two months in a hospital in my home state of California. After begging, pleading, and demanding that I be allowed to return home, the doctors consented. My husband...

WINTER MUSINGS

The English poet A. E. Housman gives me an unexpected take on the death that comes with winter and the promise it holds of spring. “The night is freezing fast,” he writes, “Tomorrow comes December;/And winterfalls of old/Are with me from the past;/And chiefly I remember/How Dick would hate the cold.” Dick would hate the cold if he were alive...

VANCOUVER'S NEWEST FOOD OASIS

As I write this all snuggled up in wool socks by my space heater, watching the rather disgruntled chickens make their way through the snowy yard, it is hard to believe that it’s almost time to start planting for the upcoming growing season. But in two weeks, my seeds will arrive and my basement will become ground zero for seedling production for my early season crops...

NEW BOOKS AVAILABLE AT VANDUSEN LIBRARY

The following is a list of new books available at the Yosef Wosk Library and Resource Centre located in the new VanDusen Botanical Garden Visitor Centre. How to grow winter vegetables SB321.D69 2011 Dowding, Charles. Totnes, Devon: Green Books, 2011. 1 copy ref. Chicken poop for the soul: in search of food sovereignty HD1476.C32 B75 2011 Dowling...

The Winter Issue